Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-01
a STORY OF i77c.
How . Continental Soldier Disappeared In
Cloud OF Smoke.

few miles from 1renIOn, N de- SAT
sve men, four of whom were seated
| around an old oaken table in the center
| Of the room, engaged in playing cards.
while they frequently noistened their
| throats from an earthen jug that stood
| on the table.
They were heavy-bearded, coarse
looking men. and, from their dress,
which somewhat resembled the British
uniform. they were evidently Tories.
The other was stout-built young man.
clad in the centennial uniform. He
sat in one corner of the room with his
face buried in his hands.
''Tom," said one of the Tories, rising
from the table and seating himself
near the young prisoner. for such he
evidently was, Tom. you and 1 were
schoolboys together. and i love you
yet. Now, why can't you give up
YOUR wild notions and join us? You
are our prisoner, and if you don't we
shall hand you over to headquarters to
morrow; while. if you join US, your for
tune is made; for, with your bravery
and talents, you will soon distinguish
yourself in the royal army, and after the
rebellion is crushed out your course shall
be rewarded by knighthood and promo
ton in the army. Now, there are two
alternatives; which do you choose?"
Neither said the young man.
raising his head and looking the Tory
steadily in the eye.
Il am now, as you say, your prison
er, but when the clock strikes twelve I
ehon Il in n1n IF nd
smoke, and neither you nor your COM
rades. nor even myself can prevent it.
You may watch me as closely as you
please, tie me hand and foot if you
will, but higher power than yours or
mine has ordained that 1 shall leave
you at that time"
"Poor fellow! his mind wanders,"
said the Tory; ''he' II talk differently in
the morning." And he returned to his
seat at the table, leaving the youth
with his head again resting on his
hands.
When the clock struck eleven the
young prisoner drew pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket and asked the
Tory leader if he had any objections to
his smoking. '.None in the least" he
said, adding with a laugh, ''that is, if
you will promise not to disappear in a
cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filed his pipe, having
done which he commenced pacing the
floor.
He took half dozen turns up and
down each side of the room, approach
ing nearer the table each time, when.
having exhausted his pipe, he returned
to his seat and refilled it.
He continued to smoke until the
clock struck twelve, when he arose
from his seat, and slowly knocking the
ashes out of his pipe. said:
There. boys. it is twelve O'Clock.
and l must leave you. Good byei"
Immediately all round the room
were seen streaks of fire kissing and
squirming; the cabin was filled with
dense sulphurous smoke, amidst which
was heard a clap of thunder. The
Tories sat in their chairs paralyzed
with fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the
prisoner was nowhere to be seen. The |
tables were overturned, the windows
smashed to pieces. and one chair was
lying on the ground outside the
building.
The Tory leader. after recovering
from his stupor, gave one glance |
around the room and sprang out of the !
window. followed by his comrades. !
They ran through the forest at the top |
of their speed in the direction of the |
British encampment, leaving their
muskets and other arms to the mercy |
of the flames, which had now begun to |
devour the cabin.
The next day two young men dressed |
in centennial uniform were seen stan,l- |
ing near the ruins of the old cabin. |
One was our prisoner of the nighi
previous. LET us hear all about it
Tom," said the other.
We'll" said he, ''last evening as |
was passing this place two Tories ran !
out of the cabin and took possession of |
me. Before 1 could make any resist |
ance they took me inland who do you |
suppose l saw as leader of their party |
but John Barton, our old schoolmatei !
He talked with me and tried to induce |
me to join them. but 1 told him l |
couldn't do it; that at twelve O'Clock l |
was going to escape, disappear in
cloud of fire and smoke, but he laughed |
at me and said l was out of my head. |
About eleven o'clock l asked him if !
might smoke. He said he had no OBJ |
lection. so filled my pipe and lighted !
it, and commenced walking the floor |
l had about pound of gurpowder III
my pocket, and as 1 walked l strewed |
it all over the floor When the clock |
struck twelve 1 babe them goodbye,
and told them 1 had to go; and then |
knocking the ashes out of my pipe, the
powder iOnited and a dazzlinO fame of |